Organizations and charities that make great contributions to the community and enhance life for others have been given a financial boost to help them provide their valuable services.
On May 9, Township of Langley Council awarded $231,900 in Capital Improvement and Community Grants to groups that support seniors and children, enhance cultural and business opportunities, assist those who are ill, preserve our heritage, present community celebrations, and help those in need.
For 2016, Council awarded $71,150 in Capital Improvement Grants that will go towards repairing and upgrading community halls and facilities through projects such as wheelchair ramp replacements, kitchen and basement renovations, deck repairs, and foundation re-enforcements.
Payment of $70,750 in Community Grants was also approved to help enhance literacy, fund improvements to the BC Farm Museum, continue the Langley Animal Protection Society’s free cat spay/neuter program, and support a youth-at-risk summer program, as well as social events for those with developmental disabilities. The grants will also support community events put on by business and sports associations, arts groups, service clubs, and other non-profit organizations, including May Day, Christmas in Williams Park, Relay for Life, Summerfest, Little Britches Rodeo, and Aboriginal and Child Day celebrations.
Through scholarship funding, $17,000 will be presented to students graduating from the Township’s eight high schools and Apex Secondary, and $3,000 will go to four independent high schools. As well, each of the eight secondary schools will receive $250, for a total of $2,000, in support of dry grad events.
Major Festivals Grants totalling $15,000 will go towards Aldergrove Fair Days and Canada Day in Fort Langley, and $5,000 will be presented to the Cranberry Festival if all criteria for funding is met prior to the event date.
A further $13,000 will be put towards community street banners, and $35,000 will go to the “Nothing Without Effort” community matching grant program for beautification efforts.
Last year, following a review of the Capital Improvement, Community, and Banner Grants programs, new criteria was put in place to ensure accountability and a fair review process for all grant applicants, and ensure the majority of the people who make up the organizations and the residents they serve are from Langley Township.
As a result, 30 Community Grant applications have been approved for 2016. Due to the policy change, Council provided an extension to May 31 to give other groups and organizations the opportunity to comply with the new policy.
“Many groups that received funding in the past did not meet the criteria for funding this year,” said Peter Tulumello, the Township’s Acting Director of Recreation, Culture, and Parks. “The Township of Langley and the Recreation, Culture, and Parks Division will work with local community groups and organizations so that they may meet all funding criteria in the future.”
